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Mbemba proud to make Newcastle move

Having completed the £13million signing of Mitrovic on Tuesday, Newcastle are expected to make Mbemba their third signing of the summer before the coming days.

The 20-year-old was left out of the Anderlecht side that beat Lazio in a pre-season friendly on Sunday and cannot wait to make the move to Tynside.

“The transfer is not finalised yet. There are still some details to work out but it will go (through) and I’m proud of myself,” said Mbemba in the Belgian media.

“I worked very hard for it to arrive and it’s a childhood dream come true. In Congo, everyone dreams of one day playing in the Premier League. In my country, it is the place to be.”

Newcastle are likely to have to appeal for a work permit for Mbemba, with DR Congo ranked outside of the world’s top 50 teams by FIFA, but Borussia Monchengladbach and Atletico Madrid’s interest in him should work in the Magpies’ favour.

Mbemba said: “I went to visit Monchengladbach’s facilities. I had a good interview with their management, and the coach tried to sell it to me but the club could not pay what Anderlecht requested.

“Atletico have also made a offer, but it was refused for the same reasons.”

“This competition (the Belgian Jupiler League) is a showcase. I think it’s mostly at home to Arsenal when I tabled my business card to English clubs.

“When I arrived in 2011 I had nothing. I did not even know if I was going to eat every night. And now here I am. It’s also cool that Mitrovic is in Newcastle too. But I also look forward to seeing (former Anderlecht midfielder) Cheikhou Kouyate when we face West Ham.”

Newcastle have also been linked with Feyenoord winger Jean-Paul Boetius, while speculation continues to suggest Marseille playmaker Florian Thauvin is a target for Steve McClaren.